Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer said his nation had “taken England apart” in Bloemfontein.

Der Kaiser, who has not held back in his criticism of England throughout the World Cup, had more harsh words about Fabio Capello’s men after Germany’s convincing 4-1 victory.

“England were overwhelmed – they just could not come to terms with our style of play,” he said. “We have taken England apart. We were better in every aspect.”

Beckenbauer admitted Frank Lampard’s lob which cannoned down off the underside of the crossbar and over the line was a clear goal.

The German legend, who play in the 1966 final said: “The linesman really has to see that goal which was not given. It was a clear goal.

“Fortunately we added two more, otherwise there would be a lot more discussion about it.”

Gunter Netzer, who won the World Cup for Germany in 1974, rejected calls for the use of goal-line technology as a result of the controversial moment. “Despite this goal, I am firmly against video evidence,” he said.

“As bad as it was, football is all about drama. Football is not perfect. Even footballers make many errors and that is what brings emotion to the game.”

While the discussion over the introduction of technology will rage on, Beckenbauer was eager to point out that coach Joachim Loew should also be given credit for the win.

“We thought that it was going to be a tight one, but you can see Joachim Loew’s signature on this,” he said.

Loew himself said: “We knew that we would have to try and tackle the English early on in midfield and take away any space they would have beyond.”